BMW has released details of the new three-door M135i, boasting a 3.0-litre, straight six-cylinder engine with 235 kW and 450 Nm of torque, as well as M-suspension components and aerodynamically optimised body features. The official release follows the Concept M135i shown at the Geneva Motor Show 2012 in March.
Developed specifically for the M Performance family – one step up from M Sport, one down from true M status – BMW says this is not a successor to the limited-edition 1 Series M Coupe, but for fans of big engines in little cars, it’s likely to do the trick.
Acceleration from 0 – 100 km/h is done in 5.1 seconds for the six-speed manual version and 4.9 seconds for the 8-speed automatic (the same time as the manual 1 M Coupé). The comparable acceleration figures between the two cars is due to M135i’s lighter kerb weight – around 70kg lighter than the 1 M Coupe. One significant point of difference between these two cars, mechanically, is in the steering. While the 1 M benefited from a hydraulic arrangement, the M135i packs an electromechanical system. The car’s top speeds are both limited to 250 km/h.
Interior details include: exclusive cloth Hexagon/Alcantara upholstery; an M leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons and blue accent stitching; BMW Individual roofliner in Anthracite; interior trim in Aluminium Hexagon with matt Estoril Blue or high-gloss black accent lines; gear selector and handbrake with leather gaiters; M driver footrest; speedometer and rev counter with red chronoscales. The colour of the interior lighting is also adjustable.
The M135i’s rivals will include the upcoming A-Class AMG and the Audi RS3, but as the only rear-wheel-drive offering in the trio, this one will have an appeal all its own. The new three-door BMW 1 Series goes on sale in South Africa from September 2012.
